Notice Information
Notice Title
Assembly Rooms Festival Operator
Notice Description
The City of Edinburgh Council (the "Council") awarded a Concession Contract for the Assembly Rooms Festival Operator. The Council's appointed an experienced Festival Operator to develop and manage a diverse programme of performances, provide all box office and marketing requirements, provide all production staff to support programming and operate the shows and build seating infrastructure within the venue. The Operator shall pay a fixed hire fee to the Council and the venue shall be subject to a damage deposit. It is expected that the new Contract shall operate from April 2026 for a period of five years with the option (at the Council's discretion) to extend for a further two 12-month periods.
Lot Information
Lot 1
Concession Contract for an experienced Festival Operator who will develop and manage a programme of performances on the full first floor of The Assembly Rooms during a five-week summer period in August of each year starting in 2026. Please refer to the Specification for details in full.
Renewal: This is a five year contract with the option to extend for up to a further two 12-months periods at the sole discretion of the Council.
Notice Details
Publication & Lifecycle
- Open Contracting ID
- ocds-r6ebe6-0000790432
- Publication Source
- Public Contracts Scotland
- Latest Notice
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP538921
- Current Stage
- Award
- All Stages
- Planning, Tender, Award
Procurement Classification
- Notice Type
- PCS Notice - Website Contract Award Notice
- Procurement Type
- Standard
- Procurement Category
- Services
- Procurement Method
- Open
- Procurement Method Details
- Open procedure
- Tender Suitability
- Not specified
- Awardee Scale
- SME
Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)
- CPV Divisions
79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services
-
- CPV Codes
79952000 - Event services
79953000 - Festival organisation services
92312100 - Theatrical producers', singer groups', bands' and orchestras' entertainment services
92312110 - Theatrical producer entertainment services
Notice Value(s)
- Tender Value
- £504,000 £500K-£1M
- Lots Value
- Not specified
- Awards Value
- Not specified
- Contracts Value
- £567,237 £500K-£1M
Notice Dates
- Publication Date
- 10 Sep 20255 months ago
- Submission Deadline
- 2 Jul 2025Expired
- Future Notice Date
- 1 Jun 2025Expired
- Award Date
- 15 Aug 20256 months ago
- Contract Period
- Not specified - Not specified
- Recurrence
- Late 2031
Notice Status
- Tender Status
- Complete
- Lots Status
- Complete
- Awards Status
- Not Specified
- Contracts Status
- Active
Buyer & Supplier
Contracting Authority (Buyer)
- Main Buyer
- THE CITY OF EDINBURGH COUNCIL
- Contact Name
- Jamie Smart
- Contact Email
- aga.wieczorkiewicz@edinburgh.gov.uk, jamie.smart@edinburgh.gov.uk
- Contact Phone
- +44 1314693922
Buyer Location
- Locality
- EDINBURGH
- Postcode
- EH8 8BG
- Post Town
- Edinburgh
- Country
- Scotland
-
- Major Region (ITL 1)
- TLM Scotland
- Basic Region (ITL 2)
- TLM1 East Central Scotland
- Small Region (ITL 3)
- TLM13 City of Edinburgh
- Delivery Location
- TLM75 City of Edinburgh
-
- Local Authority
- City of Edinburgh
- Electoral Ward
- City Centre
- Westminster Constituency
- Edinburgh East and Musselburgh
Further Information
Notice Documents
-
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=FEB523767&idx=1
7th March 2025 - It would be appreciated if you could please complete and return this questionnaire by 14/04/2025. -
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB523767
Assembly Rooms Festival Operator - The purpose of this Prior Information Notice (PIN) is to inform the market of the intention of the City of Edinburgh Council (the "Council") to tender a Concession Contract for an experienced Events Producer or Organisation, to develop and manage a program of performances on the full first floor of The Assembly Rooms during a 5-week summer period in August of each year starting in 2026. The Council's aim is to appoint an experienced Event Producer or Organisation to develop and manage a diverse program of performances, provide all box office and marketing requirements, provide all production staff to support programme and operate the shows and build seating infrastructure within the venue to maximise pace and potential. Please note that the Assembly Rooms will provide all bars in the venue and retain all income generated from Bar sales. Assembly Rooms will also provide all Front of House and Security staff in line with Event Producer's requirements and all costs of staff to be met by the Event Producer. The estimated contract value is based on the rental fee paid to the Council, it does not include any anticipated staff cost. The street area outside the Assembly Rooms has been used as an additional performance and bar area during the Festival by previous hirers, the agreement to utilise this a separate discussion with the City of Edinburgh Council and as such is not part of this hire. It is expected that the new Contract shall operate from August 2026 for a period of five years with the option (at the Council's discretion) to extend for a further two 12-month periods. -
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUN531549
Assembly Rooms Festival Operator - The City of Edinburgh Council (the "Council") requires a Concession Contract for an experienced Festival Operator to develop and manage a programme of performances on the full first floor of the Assembly Rooms during a five-week summer period in August of each year starting in 2026. The Council's aim is to appoint an experienced Festival Operator to develop and manage a diverse programme of performances, provide all box office and marketing requirements, provide all production staff to support programming and operate the shows and build seating infrastructure within the venue to maximise pace and potential. Please note that the Assembly Rooms will provide all bars in the venue and retain all income generated from Bar sales. The Assembly Rooms will also provide all Front of House and Security staff in line with Event Producer's requirements and all costs of staff to be met by the Event Producer. The estimated contract value is based on the rental fee paid to the Council, it does not include any anticipated staff cost. The external street area outside the Assembly Rooms has been used as an additional performance and bar area during the Festival by previous hirers, the agreement to utilise this a separate discussion with the Council and as such is not part of this hire. It is expected that the new Contract shall operate from August 2026 for a period of five years with the option (at the Council's discretion) to extend for a further two 12-month periods. -
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP538921
Assembly Rooms Festival Operator - The City of Edinburgh Council (the "Council") awarded a Concession Contract for the Assembly Rooms Festival Operator. The Council's appointed an experienced Festival Operator to develop and manage a diverse programme of performances, provide all box office and marketing requirements, provide all production staff to support programming and operate the shows and build seating infrastructure within the venue. The Operator shall pay a fixed hire fee to the Council and the venue shall be subject to a damage deposit. It is expected that the new Contract shall operate from April 2026 for a period of five years with the option (at the Council's discretion) to extend for a further two 12-month periods.
Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)
View full OCDS Record for this contracting process
The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.
{
"tag": [
"compiled"
],
"id": "ocds-r6ebe6-0000790432-2025-09-10T00:00:00Z",
"date": "2025-09-10T00:00:00Z",
"ocid": "ocds-r6ebe6-0000790432",
"initiationType": "tender",
"parties": [
{
"id": "org-9",
"name": "The City of Edinburgh Council",
"identifier": {
"legalName": "The City of Edinburgh Council"
},
"address": {
"streetAddress": "Waverley Court, 4 East Market Street",
"locality": "Edinburgh",
"region": "UKM75",
"postalCode": "EH8 8BG"
},
"contactPoint": {
"email": "aga.wieczorkiewicz@edinburgh.gov.uk",
"telephone": "+44 1314693922",
"url": "http://"
},
"roles": [
"buyer"
],
"details": {
"classifications": [
{
"id": "Regional or local authority",
"scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE"
},
{
"id": "01",
"description": "General public services",
"scheme": "COFOG"
}
],
"url": "http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk"
}
},
{
"id": "org-119",
"name": "The City of Edinburgh Council",
"identifier": {
"legalName": "The City of Edinburgh Council"
},
"address": {
"streetAddress": "Waverley Court, 4 East Market Street",
"locality": "Edinburgh",
"region": "UKM75",
"postalCode": "EH8 8BG"
},
"contactPoint": {
"email": "aga.wieczorkiewicz@edinburgh.gov.uk",
"telephone": "+44 1314693922",
"url": "http://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk"
},
"roles": [
"buyer"
],
"details": {
"classifications": [
{
"id": "Regional or local authority",
"scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE"
},
{
"id": "01",
"description": "General public services",
"scheme": "COFOG"
}
],
"url": "http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk"
}
},
{
"id": "org-2",
"name": "Sheriff Court",
"identifier": {
"legalName": "Sheriff Court"
},
"address": {
"locality": "Edinburgh"
},
"contactPoint": {
"url": "http://"
},
"roles": [
"reviewBody"
]
},
{
"id": "org-89",
"name": "The City of Edinburgh Council",
"identifier": {
"legalName": "The City of Edinburgh Council"
},
"address": {
"streetAddress": "Waverley Court, 4 East Market Street",
"locality": "Edinburgh",
"region": "UKM75",
"postalCode": "EH8 8BG"
},
"contactPoint": {
"name": "Jamie Smart",
"email": "jamie.smart@edinburgh.gov.uk",
"url": "http://"
},
"roles": [
"buyer"
],
"details": {
"classifications": [
{
"id": "Regional or local authority",
"scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE"
},
{
"id": "01",
"description": "General public services",
"scheme": "COFOG"
},
{
"id": "07",
"description": "Health",
"scheme": "COFOG"
}
],
"url": "http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk"
}
},
{
"id": "org-474",
"name": "Assembly Festival Ltd",
"identifier": {
"legalName": "Assembly Festival Ltd"
},
"address": {
"streetAddress": "2 Roxburgh Place",
"locality": "City of Edinburgh",
"region": "UK",
"postalCode": "EH8 9SU"
},
"contactPoint": {
"telephone": "+44 7796944985"
},
"roles": [
"supplier"
],
"details": {
"scale": "sme",
"url": "http://"
}
},
{
"id": "org-91",
"name": "Sheriff Court",
"identifier": {
"legalName": "Sheriff Court"
},
"address": {
"streetAddress": "27 Chambers Street",
"locality": "Edinburgh",
"postalCode": "EH1 1LB"
},
"contactPoint": {
"url": "http://"
},
"roles": [
"reviewBody"
]
}
],
"buyer": {
"name": "The City of Edinburgh Council",
"id": "org-89"
},
"planning": {
"documents": [
{
"id": "FEB523767",
"documentType": "plannedProcurementNotice",
"title": "Assembly Rooms Festival Operator",
"description": "The purpose of this Prior Information Notice (PIN) is to inform the market of the intention of the City of Edinburgh Council (the \"Council\") to tender a Concession Contract for an experienced Events Producer or Organisation, to develop and manage a program of performances on the full first floor of The Assembly Rooms during a 5-week summer period in August of each year starting in 2026. The Council's aim is to appoint an experienced Event Producer or Organisation to develop and manage a diverse program of performances, provide all box office and marketing requirements, provide all production staff to support programme and operate the shows and build seating infrastructure within the venue to maximise pace and potential. Please note that the Assembly Rooms will provide all bars in the venue and retain all income generated from Bar sales. Assembly Rooms will also provide all Front of House and Security staff in line with Event Producer's requirements and all costs of staff to be met by the Event Producer. The estimated contract value is based on the rental fee paid to the Council, it does not include any anticipated staff cost. The street area outside the Assembly Rooms has been used as an additional performance and bar area during the Festival by previous hirers, the agreement to utilise this a separate discussion with the City of Edinburgh Council and as such is not part of this hire. It is expected that the new Contract shall operate from August 2026 for a period of five years with the option (at the Council's discretion) to extend for a further two 12-month periods.",
"url": "https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB523767",
"format": "text/html"
}
]
},
"tender": {
"id": "CT1528",
"title": "Assembly Rooms Festival Operator",
"description": "The City of Edinburgh Council (the \"Council\") awarded a Concession Contract for the Assembly Rooms Festival Operator. The Council's appointed an experienced Festival Operator to develop and manage a diverse programme of performances, provide all box office and marketing requirements, provide all production staff to support programming and operate the shows and build seating infrastructure within the venue. The Operator shall pay a fixed hire fee to the Council and the venue shall be subject to a damage deposit. It is expected that the new Contract shall operate from April 2026 for a period of five years with the option (at the Council's discretion) to extend for a further two 12-month periods.",
"status": "complete",
"items": [
{
"id": "1",
"additionalClassifications": [
{
"id": "79953000",
"scheme": "CPV"
},
{
"id": "92312110",
"scheme": "CPV"
},
{
"id": "79952000",
"scheme": "CPV"
},
{
"id": "92312100",
"scheme": "CPV"
}
],
"deliveryLocation": {
"description": "The City of Edinburgh"
},
"deliveryAddresses": [
{
"region": "UKM75"
},
{
"region": "UKM75"
},
{
"region": "UKM75"
}
],
"relatedLot": "1"
}
],
"value": {
"amount": 504000,
"currency": "GBP"
},
"mainProcurementCategory": "services",
"documents": [
{
"id": "FEB523767-1",
"title": "It would be appreciated if you could please complete and return this questionnaire by 14/04/2025.",
"url": "https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=FEB523767&idx=1",
"datePublished": "2025-03-07T10:07:13Z",
"dateModified": "2025-03-07T10:07:13Z",
"format": "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document"
},
{
"id": "JUN531549",
"documentType": "contractNotice",
"title": "Assembly Rooms Festival Operator",
"description": "The City of Edinburgh Council (the \"Council\") requires a Concession Contract for an experienced Festival Operator to develop and manage a programme of performances on the full first floor of the Assembly Rooms during a five-week summer period in August of each year starting in 2026. The Council's aim is to appoint an experienced Festival Operator to develop and manage a diverse programme of performances, provide all box office and marketing requirements, provide all production staff to support programming and operate the shows and build seating infrastructure within the venue to maximise pace and potential. Please note that the Assembly Rooms will provide all bars in the venue and retain all income generated from Bar sales. The Assembly Rooms will also provide all Front of House and Security staff in line with Event Producer's requirements and all costs of staff to be met by the Event Producer. The estimated contract value is based on the rental fee paid to the Council, it does not include any anticipated staff cost. The external street area outside the Assembly Rooms has been used as an additional performance and bar area during the Festival by previous hirers, the agreement to utilise this a separate discussion with the Council and as such is not part of this hire. It is expected that the new Contract shall operate from August 2026 for a period of five years with the option (at the Council's discretion) to extend for a further two 12-month periods.",
"url": "https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUN531549",
"format": "text/html"
},
{
"id": "SEP538921",
"documentType": "awardNotice",
"title": "Assembly Rooms Festival Operator",
"description": "The City of Edinburgh Council (the \"Council\") awarded a Concession Contract for the Assembly Rooms Festival Operator. The Council's appointed an experienced Festival Operator to develop and manage a diverse programme of performances, provide all box office and marketing requirements, provide all production staff to support programming and operate the shows and build seating infrastructure within the venue. The Operator shall pay a fixed hire fee to the Council and the venue shall be subject to a damage deposit. It is expected that the new Contract shall operate from April 2026 for a period of five years with the option (at the Council's discretion) to extend for a further two 12-month periods.",
"url": "https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP538921",
"format": "text/html"
}
],
"lots": [
{
"id": "1",
"description": "Concession Contract for an experienced Festival Operator who will develop and manage a programme of performances on the full first floor of The Assembly Rooms during a five-week summer period in August of each year starting in 2026. Please refer to the Specification for details in full.",
"status": "complete",
"hasOptions": false,
"submissionTerms": {
"variantPolicy": "notAllowed"
},
"contractPeriod": {
"durationInDays": 2520
},
"hasRenewal": true,
"renewal": {
"description": "This is a five year contract with the option to extend for up to a further two 12-months periods at the sole discretion of the Council."
}
}
],
"communication": {
"atypicalToolUrl": "http://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk",
"futureNoticeDate": "2025-06-01T00:00:00Z"
},
"classification": {
"id": "79953000",
"scheme": "CPV"
},
"procurementMethod": "open",
"procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
"submissionMethod": [
"electronicSubmission"
],
"submissionMethodDetails": "http://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk",
"tenderPeriod": {
"endDate": "2025-07-02T12:00:00Z"
},
"awardPeriod": {
"startDate": "2025-07-02T12:00:00Z"
},
"bidOpening": {
"date": "2025-07-02T12:00:00Z",
"address": {
"streetAddress": "Edinburgh"
}
},
"contractTerms": {
"hasElectronicPayment": true,
"hasElectronicOrdering": true,
"electronicInvoicingPolicy": "allowed"
},
"otherRequirements": {
"requiresStaffNamesAndQualifications": true
},
"selectionCriteria": {
"criteria": [
{
"type": "suitability",
"description": "Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents."
},
{
"type": "economic",
"minimum": "Part III: Section A, B, C & D - Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 8 and 9 of the Procurement (Scotland) Regulations 2016. Part IV: Selection criteria - B: Economic and financial standing - Question 4B.1 - Tenderers are required to have a minimum \"general\" annual turnover of GBP 122,000 for the last two financial years. Where a Tenderer does not have an annual turnover of this value, the Council may exclude the Tenderer from the competition or may apply discretion seeking supporting evidence to determine the Tenderer's suitability to proceed in the competition. Part IV: Selection criteria - B: Economic and financial standing - Question 4B.4 - Tenderers will be required provide the following information in response to 4B.4: Current ratio for Current Year: 1.10 Current ratio for Prior Year: 1.10 The formula for calculating a Tenderer's current ratio is current assets divided by current liabilities. The acceptable range for each financial ratio is greater than 1.10. Where a Tenderer's current ratio is less than the acceptable value, the Council may exclude the Tenderer from the competition or may apply discretion seeking supporting evidence to determine the Tenderer's suitability to proceed in the competition. Part IV: Selection criteria - B: Economic and financial standing - Question 4B.5 - Tenderers are required to hold, or commit to obtaining prior to the commencement of any subsequently awarded contract, the types and levels of insurance indicated below: a. Employers (Compulsory) Liability Insurance - GBP 5m b. Public Liability Insurance - GBP 10m Where a Tenderer does not hold or commit to obtaining the types and levels of insurance indicated, the Council will exclude the Tenderer from the competition."
},
{
"type": "technical",
"minimum": "CONTRACT SPECIFIC MANDATORY CRITERIA: Part IV: Selection criteria - C: Prompt Payment - Question 4C.4 - It is a mandatory requirement of this Contract that a prompt payment clause is present in all Contracts used in the delivery of the requirements. This ensures payment of sub-contractors at all stages of the supply chain within 30 days and includes an obligation to provide a point of contact for sub-contractors to refer to in the case of payment difficulties. This will require active monitoring of payment performance as well as the provision of evidence and reports to the Council on request or as contractually scheduled. Bidders should confirm that this condition will be met within the response to this question. Part IV: Selection criteria - C: Living Wage Payment - Question 4C.5 - Tenderers are asked to confirm that they will pay staff that are involved in the delivery of the Contract, (including any agency or sub-contractor staff) directly involved in the delivery of the Contract, at least the real Living Wage. Part IV: Selection criteria - C: Environmental Management Measures - Question 4C.7 - Tenderers will be required to provide evidence that their organisation has taken steps to build their awareness of the climate change emergency and how they will respond. Accepted evidence includes but is not limited to: A completed copy of \"Appendix 3 Climate Change Plan\" including planned projects and actions to reduce the bidder's carbon emissions. This does not need to contain calculated carbon emissions. Please note Appendix 3 is supplied as an individual document for completion. Where a Tenderer's response is of a less than the acceptable standard, the Council may exclude the Tenderer from the competition or may apply discretion seeking supporting evidence to determine the Tenderer's suitability to proceed in the competition. Part IV: Selection criteria - D: Health and Safety - Question 4D.1 - It is a mandatory requirement that Tendering Organisations with more than 5 employees have in place a Health & Safety Policy which is approved at a senior level within the Organisation and is reviewed regularly. Bidders should confirm that this condition has been met within the response to this question. Where a Bidder does not have a Health & Safety Policy and is required to do so, the Council may exclude the Bidder from the competition."
}
]
},
"submissionTerms": {
"languages": [
"en"
],
"bidValidityPeriod": {
"durationInDays": 120
}
},
"reviewDetails": "A tenderer that suffers loss as a result of a breach of duty under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 may bring proceedings in the Sheriff Court or the Court of Session. The City of Edinburgh Council (the Council) will have a minimum standstill period of 10 days before awarding the contract. The communication of the award decision notice will be sent by fax or e-mail to all tenderers with the standstill period commencing on the next day. If proceedings are started in the Sheriff Court or the Court of Session against the Council in respect of the decision to award the contract within the standstill period then the Council is prevented from awarding the contract. Post contract award the Sheriff Court or the Court of Session may (1) award damages provided proceedings are brought within 3 months from the date when the grounds for the bringing of the proceedings first arose (2) be entitled to issue an ineffectiveness order or impose a financial penalty on the Council. A claim for an ineffectiveness order must be made within 30 days of the Contract Award Notice being published in the FTS or within 30 days of the date those who expressed an interest in or otherwise bid for the contract were informed of the conclusion of the contract or in any other case within 6 months from the date on which the contract was entered into.",
"hasRecurrence": true,
"recurrence": {
"description": "Late 2031"
}
},
"language": "EN",
"description": "Please note that this is a Contract Award Notice. (SC Ref:809856)",
"links": [
{
"rel": "canonical",
"href": "https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000790432"
},
{
"rel": "canonical",
"href": "https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000790432"
},
{
"rel": "canonical",
"href": "https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000790432"
}
],
"noticetype": "PCS Notice - Website Contract Award Notice",
"awards": [
{
"id": "CT1528",
"suppliers": [
{
"id": "org-474",
"name": "Assembly Festival Ltd"
}
],
"relatedLots": [
"1"
]
}
],
"contracts": [
{
"id": "CT1528",
"awardID": "CT1528",
"status": "active",
"value": {
"amount": 567237,
"currency": "GBP"
},
"dateSigned": "2025-08-15T00:00:00Z"
}
],
"bids": {
"statistics": [
{
"id": "963",
"measure": "bids",
"value": 1,
"relatedLot": "1"
},
{
"id": "964",
"measure": "smeBids",
"value": 1,
"relatedLot": "1"
},
{
"id": "965",
"measure": "foreignBidsFromEU",
"value": 0,
"relatedLot": "1"
},
{
"id": "966",
"measure": "foreignBidsFromNonEU",
"value": 1,
"relatedLot": "1"
},
{
"id": "967",
"measure": "electronicBids",
"value": 1,
"relatedLot": "1"
}
]
}
}